Australia's Test squad set to tackle England in the First 3 Mobile Ashes Test in Brisbane next week will be announced on Thursday, and Justin Langer admits he is feeling nervous.
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Langer's place in the team has been cast in doubt following a recent string of low scores for Australia - he has not passed 50 in his past 10 Test innings - and the dominant form of Phil Jaques against England in the recent tour matches.
Despite averaging 74 in five Pura Cup knocks this season, Langer said he was taking nothing for granted ahead of the team announcement.
"I'm quite nervous. Probably the first time in five years I've been nervous about my selection," Langer revealed on Wednesday.
"Obviously it's mainly because of the media speculation. I think if you put things into perspective I shouldn't be too worried about it, but it would still be nice to see it (my selection) in black and white."
"There's always one person within the team (that comes under scrutiny from the media). If it's not me, it will be Matthew Hayden or Damien Martyn next week, it will be someone."
"That's just how the game works really. It is frustrating but it's just part of the media game and part of the game we are involved in."
Meanwhile, Langer said he empathised with Marcus Trescothick after the England opener flew home on Tuesday following a recurrence of a stress-related illness.
"I definitely feel for him … you don't wish that on anyone," Langer said.
"A lot of people suffer from these things in all sorts of occupations; he just happens to be in the public eye and happens to open the batting for England before an Ashes Test match."
"It's really tough on him. Whether it throws the English camp into turmoil, who knows. They've obviously got contingency plans for all these things."
"When (Steve) Harmison bowls hopefully the first ball to me next Thursday then it all goes out the door and the battle is on."
